This feels like the longest chapter mainly of how many times I drew a blank. I am so sorry in advance. But the next chapter is slides night!!

-= ⭐️ =- (Jay is dressed for a day out)

Lying down under the duvet, Aika never felt more lonely. She stared up, the blank ceiling being her only view. Among the darkness, she could hear her steady breathing and sniffles from the cold.

"Just make sure to get some rest." Those were the words Giselle advised her when she dropped off chicken soup that she had made before she left to see Gilbert. Aika did have her rest, only a small one. Her cold didn't help much for it. At every turn, she found herself with a headache and a couple of sneezes.

Plus she does not feel like sleeping. She wanted to leave this room.

She wanted to be out there working on the slides with Arlen. She wondered if she had let him down by having a cold. She wanted to get out there and brainstorm ideas.

She wanted to get out there and chat with Lizzy. She noticed that Lizzy had become quieter. Aika noticed that her housemate had been more distant, lost in thought and her cheerful attitude flicked off like a light. When everyone else checked up on her, she smiled and waved a hand to say that she was fine. Aika didn't believe that. She wanted to see if her housemate was okay.

She wanted to see Leo as well. She wondered what he was doing now. Is he working on the slides? Is he with the Crazy Club? All which she wished she had the answers to know.

She wanted to reach out to them but they all said the same thing. 'Get some rest.' How could she? She felt restless. She would rather play a tune or get out of the house by now. But unfortunately, all she has is this stupid cold.

She sighed, still in the darkness. Usually, she would enjoy her time alone but for now, she never felt so alone.

Just then there were knocks on her bedroom door.

Knock knock knock knock knock

She sat up in her bed and faced the door. "Who is it?"

"Leo!" a muffled voice called out. Aika blinked. What is Leo doing here? "May I come in?"

"You want to come in here?" She remembered that Lizzy was in the house alongside Levin. A little bird named Giselle told her that they were working on their project together. "Did Lizzy say yes?"

"She said yes. Now can I please come in?"

Aika smiled and sat up straighter in her bed. "Of course." She noticed the door had creaked open. Standing at the door was a familiar silhouette. The silhouette appeared to be holding something.

"Hi.." Aika heard the muffled yet cheerful voice of the silhouette. He reached for the lights. "Am I allowed to turn this on?"

"Yeah, no one's stopping you."

"Your headache?"

"Well, it's gonna have to deal with it." Aika grabbed a pillow and hugged it close.

Leo's silhouette flicked on the lights. She could see him clearly. He appeared in front of her wearing a dark green sweatshirt, a white tee underneath and a pair of jeans. His blonde curls were left untamed and bounced as he moved. Secured around his nose and mouth was a vibrant blue disposable face mask which Aika guessed was why his voice appeared muffled. She noticed he was holding a bouquet of tulips- the pink ones as well.

Leo's eyes saddened when he saw her. "Ohhh... my poor superstar."

"Yeah, poor me." Aika smiled weakly. She sneezed and groaned. Leo grabbed a tissue from the tissue box on her bedside table and wiped her nose. Aika frowned. "...You didn't have to do that..."

"But I want to." Leo looked around the room. "Where's the bin?"

"Next to the desk."

"Oh yeah, I see it." He tossed the tissue in the small bin. After doing that he held out the bouquet of pink tulips. "Here, for you."

"Aww.." she received the tulips. "Are these artificial or-?"

"Yeah, they're artificial. Do you like them?"

"Yes. They're really pretty, thank you." Aika placed the tulips on her bedside table. She noticed the time on her alarm clock and frowned when she noticed it was noon. She shivered which made Leo frown.

"You're cold."

"It's only chills, don't worry about it."

"But it's still chills." He pulled his sweatshirt off and held it out after fixing his white tee underneath. "Here."

"You didn't have to give me your sweatshirt."

"But you're cold. It's the least I can do."

"But I already got jumpers, hoodies and sweatshirts from you..."

"And this is another one for your collection."

"You didn't have to..."

"I want to."

"But" She smiled meekly. "Okay fine..." Aika pulled the sweatshirt over her head. The sweatshirt felt like Leo's embrace- warm and comfortable. She stared into the distance and turned to him. "Is there a reason why you are here?"

"I just wanted to see you."

"You didn't have to..."

"Oh? Give me a reason why."

"Well, I just don't want you to feel sick." Aika sniffled. "I don't want everyone else to feel sick. Especially since this week we are supposed to work on the slides for Sunday."

"We still have plenty of time!" Leo nodded. "We got tomorrow, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday."

"Five days."

"Six, actually. Today counts too."

She nodded. She knew he wanted to see her to make her feel better. She knew he came all this way for her. But the last thing she wanted was to see everyone around her get sick. Before slides night as well.

"I don't want you to be sick. Or your housemates. Or Lily. Or the Crazy Club. Even everyone else, I don't want them to feel unwell."

"A day of us being sick doesn't hurt."

"For you but not anyone else but fine," Aika smiled contently. "If that's what you say." She sneezed. "Ugh, I wish this cold can go away."

"How about you focus on something else? We can watch a movie together."

"Good idea."

"Where's your laptop?" Leo looked around. He spotted Aika's silver laptop on her desk and opened it, passing it to Aika.

"What movie do you have in mind?"

"Not sure. What movies do you like?"

Aika recalled the movies she watched recently. She thought about the movies that made her smile the most. She thought about the movies that made no sense yet got a laugh out of her every time.

"Hm, I like to make fun of movies. Especially those that don't make sense." A particular movie popped into her mind. "Hold on, there's this one, where is it?" She typed on her laptop and pulled up a film that she and her housemates made fun of last month. "This one. It makes no sense but always gets me laughing."

"Then we'll watch that." Leo pulled over Aika's desk chair and sat crosslegged on it.

Aika started the movie and angled the laptop so that she and Leo could see it. A fanfare blasted as the film showed the studio. "Is this good?"

"Yeah, but volume is kinda low."

Aika made the volume go to max. "Better?"

"Yep, are there subtitles too?"

"I always put that on."

"That's great. I do that too." He leaned forward in his seat. "You know this would be better if the cold isn't here."

"Are you saying that because you don't like seeing me sad or that you just want cuddles?" Aika raised an eyebrow.

"Both."

"You're honest." she chuckled. "That's what I like in someone. Unfortunately, we can't do that right now."

"I'm not going to get used to this."

"I'll make up for it!"

"With cuddles?"

"What else?"

Leo smiled. "I'll be looking forward to that." Then the two fell to silence as the movie played on.

-= ⭐️ =- (Jay is going on an adventure!)

He looked up at the building looming before him and admired the pillars reaching to the rooftops. The library, the one Cleo told him to meet up in. It wasn't a hard place to miss. The library was across from the shopping centre and was known for its grand-like design. Cameron ran up the granite stairs
and stood near one of the large chiselled pillars to read the sign.

Yep, this is the right place. Or so he hoped it was. He hoped Cleo did not trick him into coming here.

Holding one of the straps of his backpack with one hand, Cameron made his way inside.

The interior was larger than the outside; two levels with bookshelves that reached the top of the ceiling and various study areas with tables surrounded by blue comfortable seats. A large singular grandcase leading up to the second level was behind the bottom-level library desk. He looked up at the ceiling and noticed a sky roof down the middle of the room. On either side of the skyroof, chandeliers dangled down and lightened up the building.

He had never been to this library but had heard about it from Vivian. She kept talking about the new upgrades to the library such as the improved elevator and the game section.

Cameron fished out his phone and read the message Cleo sent him:

<(Meet me at the upper level of the library near the game section)

He lowered his phone and made his way up the grand staircase.

He ended up finding Cleo seated on one of the beanbags in the game area. She was focused on her laptop in front of her, leaning forward with her hands on her chin. Soft voices spoke from the laptop.

Taking the spot of the beanbag next to her was her bag. Cameron noticed in the same area three young kids were playing a racing game, eyes glued to the screen.

Cameron moved Cleo's bag next to her and plopped down on the beanbag. "Hey, Cleo."

"Cameron!" Cleo pressed the spacebar and the voices stopped. She smiled. "Glad you can make it here. How are you?"

"I'm alright. Just confused why we are studying in this grand library."

"Vivian recommended it." Cleo shrugged. "Says it's a different atmosphere."

"Sure." Cameron nodded. "Also what were you doing?"

"Watching this show I started watching yesterday." Cleo turned her laptop to Cameron. "Periodic drama. I'm on season one, episode four. This is the confessional part. This girl over here and this guy over here are in a fake relationship. Now they are finding out their true feelings."

"I heard about this show. Aren't you a little young to be watching that, young lady?"

Cleo narrowed her eyes. "I'm literally in Year Twelve, Cameron."

"I still see you as the youngest. Imagine being the youngest of a large group. I could never."

"....Cameron."

"Aww look at the little baby." Cameron massaged his friend's cheeks. "Little baby, needs to be protected."

Cleo grabbed his arms, her left eye twitching. "Shut up Cameron." She let go of his arms.

"Whoa, what an attitude. Anyways-" he pointed to her laptop. "You watched that while waiting for me?"

"Of course!" Cleo's voice lowered to a whisper. "I needed you to get started on slides night anyway. So I am watching the show to pass the time." She closed her tab. "Anyways, shall we start?"

"We are going to have to." Cameron unzipped his backpack and fetched his laptop. "Just a question, do you have any ideas for the slide?"

"I was just about to ask you the same thing!" she opened up an empty slides document. "We need to make sure that it is quick."

"Right."

"And it needs to stand out," Cleo said, facing away from her screen. "I already got some intel on what the Taurus duo are doing. You know, Tahlia's recent text."

Cameron nodded. He remembered that text. Tahlia had earlier texted him asking about his childhood celebrity crush. He gave his answer, but she never answered his question asking why. He guessed it was for their slide.

"Slides night is supposed to be fun. So we need to come up with something memorable, entertaining and engaging." Cleo tapped a finger on her laptop. "Do you have any ideas?"

"Well..." Cameron pondered. "I got something but I am not sure if it's good enough."

"I'm sure it's a good idea! I want to know." Cleo pointed a finger at her friend and clicked her tongue. "Spill."

"I was thinking about doing this idea. Hold on let me find a video..." Cameron got out his phone. "Let me find it. Got it!" He turned his phone around to show Cleo.

Cleo oohed at the sight of the video. "That seems a bit challenging but I like the idea!"

"It's not a bad idea, isn't it?"

"Not a bad one at all. Meets all the criteria as well. But how will we pull this off? I've never done this before."

"Neither have I. But, we'll use tutorials and learn from that."

"Alright. What do you want to focus yours on?"

"Can I whisper the idea?"

"Whisper?" Cleo turned to her friend. She raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, I don't want a certain person to find out." Cameron looked up towards the ceiling as if he was directly referring to someone there.

Cleo frowned. "Who's gonna- you know what, whatever. Just tell me the idea." She listened as her counterpart whispered into her ear. "I like that idea! I would like to propose something else."

"I'm listening. What is it?" Cameron went back to his spot. Cleo pulled up a browser tab on her laptop and quickly searched for a video.

"This." She showed a quick video of a certain effect. Cameron gasped.

"Yes! That is perfect! Although a bit tricky."

"We'll figure it out by then." Cleo smiled and offered a high-five. "We got this out of the park. Way to go!"

Cameron high-fived his friend. "Let's show everyone how it's done! Can't wait to see the looks on everyone's faces."

"Yeah! But let's not get competitive right now. It's supposed to be a fun experience."

"Oh definitely. Let's keep it friendly."

"That's better." Cleo lowered her laptop screen. "Either way. Now that we have a gist of what we are doing, we need a topic. Do you have any ideas? Can't be about your imaginary author friend."

"I was about to suggest that.." Cameron frowned. "Why can't we do that?"

"I don't think it seems right to do so. It'll confuse everyone. Even I don't know about them."

"I see your point... right, not doing that idea. But I got something else in mind."

Cleo nodded. "Alright, spill. I'm listening."

-= ⭐️ 🐦🐦🐦🐦=- (Oh no! Jay has come across his biggest foe! Birds!)

The two hours they spent together on the project whizzed by faster than they initially thought. Due to the time used, the two decided to have a break before meeting up tomorrow.

Lizzy watched from one of the upstairs windows overlooking the view of the road outside and watched as Levin made his way across the road. She spotted Giselle had emerged out of House 3, and gave a wave back. She noticed Gilbert also leaving to head to House 8. She guessed he went to see Sabrina.

Lizzy at the window watched as her friend strutted across to the front yard wearing a white turtleneck full-sleeved top, a black mini dress over it, a black beret and what appeared to be black heels.

She rushed downstairs to the front door and opened it to greet her housemate.

Giselle stepped into the house, clutching onto her black handbag. She balanced herself as she took off her platform heels. She then noticed Lizzy. "Oh hey."

"Hey."

"How's Aika been?"

Lizzy wanted to sigh right there. Of course. She shouldn't be surprised at this point. Always asking anything else. "Still recovering. Leo's was here though."

"Really?"

"Yeah. He's not here. He left an hour ago."

"Oh. Alright."

"Yeah..."

"..."

"..."

"Hey, I have to go. Supposed to meet up with Arlen and I need to change." Giselle made her way to the stairs, brushing past her housemate.

"Where are you heading off to?"

"Minigolf!" Giselle turned back. "It's my first time. But I feel like it'll be fun."

"That's fun! Hope you two enjoy yourselves!"

"Thank you, Lizzy." Giselle nodded before she made her way upstairs to change. Lizzy gave a smile back and rubbed a hand up and down her arm. Once her housemate left, Lizzy sighed.

She wasn't sure about what to feel anymore. A lot had come up in her head ever since she read that everyone left without her. She wasn't sure why she felt so empty. It was as if she was stuck in an endless void, searching around for a light that dimmed away.

She wasn't sure why things felt different around the people she loved. Especially with Giselle and Alex. Before she was shining bright, around them. Now she felt a pit of emptiness around them. It was as if she was nothing to them. They did after all leave without her, even if they stated that they didn't want to disturb her.

She felt something soft brush against her leg and found her dog sitting near her feet. The dog yapped and panted, tongue hanging out.

Lizzy scooped up the dog in her arms and stroked the fluffy snow-white coat. She buried her nose in the fur, swaying her body from side to side. A small smile crept on her face. Despite everything, she was glad there was one light shining in the darkness.

"Does this dress look good on me?" Lizzy looked up at the stairs and noticed Giselle standing at the top dressed in a long navy blue dress with thin straps. She posed, one hand on her hip, another on the stairs' railing.

Lizzy smiled. "It looks nice. Just make sure to wear a jacket in case it gets cold."

"Relax, I'll make sure to do that!"

"You sure you'll remember?" Lizzy shook her head. "You're not going to forget it this time?"

"I promise I won't forget. By the way, have you seen the curling iron? I need it."

"Uhh..." Lizzy gently put down the dog and brushed the fur off her top. "Last time I saw it, it was in the bathroom. Check there. If it's not there, check my room."

"Got it. Thanks." Giselle turned on her heel to find the curling iron. Rather than follow her friend, Lizzy decided to hop into the kitchen to make herself some tea.

Midway through making her tea, Giselle returned. This time she was fully dressed in her dress accompanied by silver jewellery, a white clutch bag and silver heels. Her dark waves were arranged to the front. Her friend was holding onto a folded white coat.

She placed her coat on one of the stools and leaned forward on the counter. "Whatcha making?"

"Tea." Lizzy threw the used teabag in the bin and stirred the tea with the sugar. "Milk tea."

"Sounds nice! How is it?"

"Can't answer yet. I'm not done yet." Lizzy chuckled. "Can you get the milk from the fridge?"

Giselle nodded and opened the fridge door. "What kind? We got oat, soy, full cream, lite-"

Lizzy clicked her tongue. "Full cream." She received the carton from Giselle. "Thanks, by the way."

"Anytime." Giselle closed the door and reached into her clutch bag to fetch her phone. "However, I do prefer a glass of soy milk."

Lizzy's face scrunched up. "Ugh, no thanks."

"Not a fan?"

"I don't like soy."

"I can, I can respect that."

"You're not going to get something to eat or drink?" Lizzy asked before she took a sip of her tea.

"Nah." Giselle shook her head, not looking up from her phone. "Arlen suggested we go get burgers at the city after we play minigolf."

"But surely a snack before doesn't hurt. I could make something."

Giselle paused texting and slowly faced her housemate, her eyes the size of saucers.

"I promise I won't burn the food this time!"

"I don't trust that."

"How hurtful." Lizzy gasped. "I have learnt a lot in four months!"

"Sure." Giselle raised an eyebrow and looked down at her phone. "Oh look at that! Arlen's waiting in the car outside. I have to go."

Lizzy placed her teacup on the saucer resting on the counter. The ceramics clinked together "Make sure to remem-"

"I'll make sure, don't worry." Giselle embraced her friend in a hug before she left with a wave. Lizzy waved back with a smile and heard the front door close. She was about to pick up her teacup when she noticed something.

Giselle had forgotten her coat.

-= ⭐️ =- (Jay flees from the birds)

She had realised that she had forgotten her coat when she and Arlen arrived at the minigolf area. Giselle groaned leaning her head back onto the seat's headrest. "Sh**..."

"Something up?" Arlen unbuckled his seatbelt.

"I forgot something at home. My coat." Giselle looked ahead at the view. They were both at the minigolf area's carpark which like the venue is on an island surrounded by the lake. The two were parked near the hedge that borders the land from the waters. In the distance, Giselle noticed the view of the city's skyscrapers, structures and buildings.

"Giselle, how could you forget something like that? You know it's windy around here."

"I know! I was excited to see you. Guess it slipped my mind."

Arlen laughed. "Silly Giselle."

"Be quiet, wolf boy."

"Not you too!" Arlen frowned. "Wait I guess that you're an exception to this as compared to anyone else."

"That reminded me of Gilberta and the time he said only Sabrina was allowed to use the name."

"And no one listened."

"Yep! Same thing applies here." She noticed Arlen had pouted. "Come on... don't give me that look. Now you're making me feel bad."

"Is it working?"

"Successfully."

Arlen smiled contentedly and leaned forward in his seat. He raised her chin to meet his gaze. "Good. As it should be."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Giselle laughed. She unbuckled her seatbelt.

"I want people to feel pity for calling me a wolf. It's weird."

"Isn't weird your middle name?" Giselle joked around.

"Yes, it is." Arlen joined in. "Weird is my middle name."

"Alright, Arlen Weird Georges."

He laughed, cupping her face with his hand. He gazed down at her lips. The two leaned in and...

Hey look Arlen's phone is ringing!

"Right now?!" Arlen groaned and checked the ID. He rolled his eyes to the car's roof. "Gilberta is calling. Again."

"Again?" Giselle frowned. "He called us like six times."

Arlen answered the call on speaker. "WHAT?!"

"What do you mean what?"

"Don't play innocent with me Gilbert Jackson O' Roberts! You need to stop calling us!"

"Why?" was Gilbert's voice on the line. Music blasted in the back of the call. "I only wanted to check in on you. Are you there yet?"

Arlen's left eye twitched. "Six times, Gilberta!" he yelled out, "SIX."

"You did not answer the question," said Gilbert. There were a couple of screams that were in the background of the call. "Whoa someone spilt soft drink on the floor." He tsked. "Naughty. Hey, HEY! Someone should clean that up to avoid a slipping hazard. Not it!"

"Who spilt the drink on the floor? Also, what is going on?"

"Colin. Carol hosted a study party with Skyler, Sabrina, Colin, Pete, Phoebe, Sienna and Sam. I'm here because they ordered food."

"Hey, how come I never heard about this study party..." Giselle frowned.

"It's water signs advertised. Cancers, Scorpios and Pisceans only."

"But the Sagittariuses are there. And-and you too!"

"Sienna suggested the idea and it is a requirement to have her and Sam there. And Sabrina invited me over."

"THAT MAKES NO SENSE. YOU SAID THIS IS WATER SIGN ADVERTISED. WHY ARE THE OTHERS THERE? WHO'S NEXT TO JOIN? LIBRA? TAURUS?? ARIES???" Arlen raised his voice.

"...Calm your farm."

"What."

"Nevermind. Also your idea, that's a good idea! But pretty sure they wouldn't go."

"Why?!"

"Because it's just a party. The big party is on Sunday. Anyways, CHOP CHOP lovebirds. Are you at the venue?"

"Yes." Arlen and Giselle answered.

"Good. That's what I need to know. What are you two doing?"

"Why do you need to know what we're doing?" Arlen sighed as he brought his phone closer.

"So I can keep an eye on you two. Because as the oldest I care about Arlen the wolf pup so much."

Giselle hid a giggle behind her hand. Her boyfriend, on the other hand, exhaled loudly.

"You-" Arlen pinched the bridge of his nose. "We're about to leave."

"Already? Aww, but I loved talking to you."

"And I don't."

"That's so mean, Arlen..." Gilbert faked a sob. "Waaaaaah! Arlen is a bully! Waaaaaah! I'm so sad!"

Giselle giggled. "Apologise to Gilberta, Lenlen."

"Why? He's annoying us again."

"How could you say that?!" was Gilbert's dramatic voice on the call. "Waaaaaaah- stop judging me Skyler, I'm trying to have a sad hours moment. Waaaaaah!"

"I am aware he is annoying us but still apologise to him." Giselle placed a hand on his shoulder. "Please? For me? He's my counterpart."

Arlen sighed. "I am sorry, Gilberta."

"I don't accept your apology."

"Wow," Arlen blinked. "Wow. F*** you, I guess."

"Watch your profanity. That language is not tolerated here!"

"SHUT UP."

"NEVER!" Gilbert laughed. A voice called out in the background of the call. Gilbert squealed. "EEEEEEEE! The food is here! Got to go, good luck on your date Giselle. Hope you win!"

"Thank you, Gilberta." Giselle nodded.

Gilbert continued. "And Arlen. You suck." He then cheerfully spoke. "Anyways byeeeeeeeee!" Then the call ended.

Arlen rolled his eyes. "Little sh-"

"Hey, we should probably start mini-golfing." Giselle interrupted. "Let's not worry about Gilberta."

Arlen exhaled and nodded. "You know what, you're right. You're right! Let's start mini-golfing."

"But I need a coat or jacket first."

"Here." Arlen shrugged off his tuxedo blazer and passed it to Giselle. "Wear this."

"But won't you get cold?"

Arlen fixed his tie. "I'll manage," he said with a smile before he opened the door. He boarded out and closed the door behind him.

She looked down at the blazer she was given and pulled it over her shoulder, holding it close. The blazer felt larger than what she usually wore but it was cozy. Very cozy.

Then the door next to her opened. She could feel the cool wind brush past. Near the door was Arlen who held a hand out. "Ready to go?"

Giselle smiled and held onto the hand. "Ready."

-= ⭐️⭐️ ⭐️=- (Bob and Zoe are confused as to why Jay is tired already)

"DON'T GO WASTING MY EMOTIONSSSSSS-" Carol and Sabrina watched as Gilbert, Colin, Skyler, Sienna, Pete and Phoebe belted out the lyrics. Everyone was performing a concert in Carol's room. The songs blasted from
Sienna's speaker which she brought over to the study party.

Sam, who was seated at Carol's desk finishing off his burger, looked up at the performers using Carol's bed as a stage. "You know, for a study party, we are doing less study and more party."

"To be fair, they need a break. We have worked enough on the slides." Sabrina bopped her head to the song. Next to her, Carol had her phone out filming the performers.

"Yeah but," Sam turned to the performers, "we don't have much time on the plate."

"What are you talking about? We got plenty of time!" Pete gasped.

Sam rolled his eyes. "That's what procrastinators say all of the time."

"Someone's fun at parties." Phoebe scoffed. She then cheered loudly with the others when the next song, a song on a cruel summer, played on.

Sam cringed. "Not that song..."

"HATER!" Sienna accused, pointing a finger at Sam.

"Wh-"

Carol laughed and stopped recording. She twirled her way to Sam. "Come on! Join in!"

"But it's embarrassing..."

"No one is going to judge you. Plus look at Skyler!" Carol pointed in Skyler's direction. Skyler was dancing to the beat screaming out the lyrics with Gilbert, using Carol's hairbrush as a microphone. He noticed Carol pointing and reached a hand out before he sunk to his knees. "He's having fun."

Sam noticed Gilbert panicking and shaking Skyler back and forth. He heard Gilbert yell, 'Skyler, don't leave me here! SKYLER!!' He narrowed his eyes watching as Skyler started yelling and Sabrina burst into laughter. "Yeah, fun."

"You don't have to dance, you can just join in with the singing."

Sam shook his head. "I think I'll watch."

Carol shrugged. "If you say so." She strutted her way to join her friends in the performance.

Sam leaned back in his seat. He smiled when he noticed Skyler had joined her and started a duet with her. The two screamed the lyrics into the hairbrush and took the stage. The other performers stepped aside to let the duo take over.

Once the song ended, everyone cheered. Nobody realised the next song, a country-like song on becoming fearless, blasted on Sienna's speaker.

Phoebe eventually came to realise. "THIS IS LILY'S FAVOURITE SONG!"

"OH IT IS, SHE LOVES THIS SONG!" Sienna gasped. She jumped up and down on the bed.

"Sienna, don't fall off!" Carol warned with a laugh.

"Lily likes this song?" Skyler asked. "She has a nice taste."

Carol held onto his hand. "It's a nice song!" She twirled him around and laughed. He smiled and twirled her around.

Gilbert gasped. "I wanna twirl around around as a princess!"

"What's stopping you?" Sabrina held his hand. Like a prince and princess in a ballroom, she twirled him around in a circle. Gilbert laughed and twirled her back.

Colin pointed at the two. "Look! It's Princess Sabrina of Scorpion Valley and Her Royal Highness, Princess Gilberta!" Everyone applauded for the royals.

Sabrina raised an eyebrow. "Princess? No, no no, I'm a Queen. You're mistaken."

"Oops, my bad."

Gilbert curtseyed to his girlfriend. "I never knew we got a queen here. What an honour to dance with you, your majesty."

"I don't think this is how royalty works..." Sam muttered. Everyone shushed him.

Sabrina smiled. "It is such an honour to dance with you, Princess Gilberta. Such an opportunity is a rare occasion. You are well known across all the kingdoms, your highness."

"Don't think that's how royals spe-"

"Sam, be quiet!" The others shushed him.

Then the next song, a rickroll played on. Everyone groaned except for Phoebe who cheered.

"Seriously?" Sam turned to the speaker. "I mean, seriously?" Skyler stormed over to the speaker and pressed a button to stop the song.

Phoebe pouted and stopped dancing. "Why?"

"Because it is rather annoying." He pressed another button and the next song, a K-pop song on attention, blasted on. Sienna, Colin, Gilbert, Pete and Phoebe cheered. Skyler blinked. "Never expected this song here."

"Phoebe added it," Carol explained. She made her way to the lights, grabbed a small remote on her dresser and pressed a button. She flicked off the light which led to a collective gasp from her friends. The room from top to bottom had lit up in cyan light.

"How did you?" Sam noticed strips of LED lights stuck at the top rims of the room. "Oh. When did you-"

"I put it up two months ago!" Carol took the centre stage. "You like it?"

"I love it!" Sam found himself moving to the beat. "This song is catchy."

"This is a sign, Sam." Sienna danced to the song. "Join us."

"But-" Sam paused. He clicked his tongue. "You know what? Doesn't hurt to join."

"I'll sit this one out." Carol swapped her spot with Sam to watch her friends dance the night away.

-= ⭐️⭐️⭐️ =- (Bob and Zoe reassure a scared Jay)

"Why are Vincent and Vivian the most confusing people we ever worked with?" Tahlia heard Tyler complain next to her as they drove through the town.

Tahlia shrugged, focused on the road ahead of her. "You'll never know what they'll suggest." She made the car stop at a red traffic light.

"Yeah, that's true. But I need an explanation as to why they wanted us to buy a playpen!"

Tahlia looked in the rearview mirror directed to the backseat where the playpen sat. She remembered the look on the cashier's face when he saw Tahlia and Tyler with it. "It could be for Chester?"

"Could be. Or maybe someone else."

"Like who?" Tyler furrowed his eyebrows, confused. "Oh, green light."

"I know." Tahlia started up the car and turned the wheel right. "Also to answer your question, maybe the Crazy Club? Could be a possibility. But that means me and Sabrina are dragged in."

"You're in the crazy club?"

"Yeah, they told me that I am an off-and-on member." 

"I find that hard to believe that you are in it."

"Yeah a bit crazy to think about it."

A silence followed afterwards. Tyler reached for the radio and listened to a talk show. He leaned back in his seat, crossed his arms and gazed out the window.

She gripped her hands on the steering wheel and focused ahead. She noticed a jeweller's store and bit her lip. "Hey Tyler, I have a question."

"Hm?" Tyler turned to his friend. "What's up?"

"What's your thoughts on change?"

"Whoa, that's a big one." Tyler pondered what to say. "I don't like change. Rather prefer if things stay the same."

"But change is bound to happen. Good or bad." Tahlia said, eyes on the road. She turned the car right. "I don't like bad change personally."

"Even if change happens, which is bound to happen, I don't like it when it's sudden."

"I see. What if you are making a change in your or someone else's life? What do you think about that?"

"Why are you asking questions about change?"

"Just answer the question, Tyler."

"If you are making a change... I guess it depends on what it is." Tyler placed a hand on his forehead. "I am so confused. Is something up?"

Tahlia turned right to the road leading to Zodiac Street. "Nothing is up."

"Your questions on change say otherwise. What's the change on?" Tyler asked. His eyes widened. "You're not moving out, aren't you?"

"No, not moving out."

"Hm, not moving out, huh? Wait. Is this related to Vivian?"

"Uh. I won't comment on that." Tahlia tightened her lips to a straight line. She turned the wheel right to Zodiac Street.

"Won't comment? Come on, can't you tell me?"

"Can't." Tahlia parked the car near the curb in front of House 2. "We've arrived." She turned to her friend. "I think we should end this conversation right there."

Tyler opened his mouth to speak. He closed it immediately and nodded with a frown, "Fine." Without a second look back, he hopped out of the car to pull the playpen out.

She remained silent, hands placed delicately on her plaid skirt. She stroked her fingers over the ring finger, her thoughts in her head racing.

Is it worth it?

Is it worth it?

Is it worth it?

She heard two voices call out Tyler's name and noticed Vincent and Vivian making their way to the car. She watched from her seat as Vincent made his way to help Tyler carry the playpen's box.

Vivian, on the other hand, stood near the front of the car, leaning slightly sideways to the headlights. She held a glass of Apple juice and stirred a purple swirled straw around in the drink. Tahlia couldn't help but notice that Vivian looked gorgeous, just like every other day.

She waved to her friends when they acknowledged her presence. Her thoughts had vanished when Vivian had arrived.

With a smile, Tahlia got out of the car to join her friends.